may we are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may we are" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be a combination of two different phrases, "may we" and "we are," which do not work together in this form. Example: "May we proceed with the meeting?" or "We are ready to start."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

'The major thing in my mind was, "Come what may, we are here to stay".

The Guardian - Music

"Right now, looking ahead to May we are short of $358m out of a total funding requirement of $639m.

The Guardian

On Monday week (12 May) we are holding a panel discussion on the Ukraine crisis at Guardian HQ near King's Cross, in north London.

The Guardian

Even if the traffic creeps back up from the 20percentnt fall registered last week, as it may, we are now clearly in possession of a policy response - and one developed by London's own government.

The Guardian

Be that as it may, we are not expecting much in the way of fiscal austerity from Washington any time soon.

Forbes

Come what may we are called day by day to keep to the discipline of trusting God, even when that seems counterintuitive.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Come what may, we're born guilty!

The New Yorker

may we be happy in 2018.

The Washington Post

This year we are slaves – next year may we be free".

The Guardian - Opinion

may we be free from danger in 2018.

The Washington Post

may we be free from suffering in 2018.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "may we are" in formal or informal writing. It is grammatically incorrect. Instead, clarify your intended meaning and use a grammatically sound alternative like "may we be" or "are we allowed to."

Common error

Do not confuse the modal verb "may" with the auxiliary verb "are". "May" expresses possibility or permission and is followed by a verb in its base form (e.g., "may we go"). "Are" is a form of the verb "to be" and requires a subject and often a complement (e.g., "we are ready"). Combining them directly as in "may we are" creates a grammatically incorrect structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may we are" is grammatically incorrect. A more accurate phrasing that employs similar terms could be a request for permission (using "may") or a statement of being (using "we are"). As Ludwig AI points out, the two concepts do not combine in this form.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may we are" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both written and spoken English. As Ludwig AI clearly indicates, the combination of the modal verb "may" and the auxiliary verb "are" in this manner does not conform to standard English grammar. Instead, depending on the intended meaning, consider using alternatives such as "may we be" to express a wish or hope, or rephrasing the sentence to accurately reflect the intended purpose. Given the lack of valid examples, it is crucial to prioritize grammatical correctness and clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may we be

This is a grammatically correct phrase expressing a wish or hope.

might we be

This phrase suggests a possibility or speculation about our state or condition.

could we be

This indicates a possibility or capability; it asks if it's possible for "we" to be something.

can we be

This phrase is a more direct inquiry into the possibility or permissibility of a state.

are we allowed to

This directly asks for permission to do something.

is it possible for us to

This phrase explores the feasibility of a particular action or state.

are we going to be

This phrase expresses anticipation of a future condition or state.

we might be

This expresses a degree of uncertainty or possibility.

what will we be

This phrasing queries about the future identity or state.

perhaps we are

This suggests something is possibly true, but without certainty.

FAQs

What does "may we be" mean and how does it differ from the incorrect phrase "may we are"?

"May we be" expresses a wish, hope, or possibility for the future. For example, "May we be happy" is a common expression. The phrase "may we are" is grammatically incorrect; "are" doesn't fit after the modal verb "may".

Is "may we" correct, and if so, how should it be used?

Yes, "may we" is correct. It's used to ask for permission or express a hope or wish. Examples: "May we leave early?" (asking permission) or "May we all find peace" (expressing a wish).

What are some alternatives to "may we" when asking for permission?

Alternatives include "can we", "could we", or "are we allowed to". The choice depends on the level of formality and the specific context.

When might I use "might we be" instead of attempting to use "may we are"?

"Might we be" is used to express a possibility or a suggestion, especially when exploring different scenarios. It's a grammatically correct way to speculate. For example, "Might we be overlooking something important?" suggests a possibility that something is being missed.